Documents required with OCI application

1. Proof of present citizenship2. Evidence of self or parents or grandparents,Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of Commencement of the Constitution or Belonging to a territory that became a part of India after 15th August, 1947; or Being a citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950.Such evidence could be:1. Copy of the passport: or2. Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the Competent Authority; or3. Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent, if their Indian Origin is claimed as basis for grant of OCI.**If parents'/grand parents' origin is being claimed as basis for grant of OCI, the following documents are required:1. Those who are claiming OCI card on the basis of parent's Indian origin, their birth certificate showing their parents name is required. 2. If you are claiming Indian origin based on your grandparents origin, then you have to submit your birth certificate as well as your parents' birth certificate showing the parents' names clearly so that it establishes the relation with your parents and grandparents.3. Copy of their Indian passport, or4. Copy of their domicile certificate issue by the competent authority; or any other documentary evidence like a notarized copy of school certificate, land ownership certificate by which eligibility can be logically established. Whether to accept the proof submitted would depend on the Consular Officer. Any other proof, that is acceptable to the authorities as proof of the applicant being of Indian origin.When it comes to accepting other types of proof, as supporting documents, the final decision to accept any type of documentary proof would rest with the consular officers. Some documents that might stand a chance of being accepted could be:1. Documentary evidence like a school certificate.2. Land ownership records in India.3. Birth certificate.4. Any other type of documentation whereby eligibility may be reasonably ascertained to the satisfaction of the Indian government official dealing with your application.Surrender certificate required Former Indian Nationals, who apply for OCI, are also required to provide a 'Surrender Certificate' to show they had renounced their Indian citizenship, when they acquired foreign citizenship. Information regarding obtaining a surrender certificate is provide separately in this book. OCI photo guidelinesOne of the reasons for delay of processing OCI applications is the rejection of the photographs, which are sent in by applicants, as they do not meet the acceptable format set by the authorities. Care should be taken that the photographs you are sending meet the required guidelines. Photo guidelines can be viewed by visiting http://passport.gov.in/oci/Photo-Spec-FINAL.pdfChecking status of OCI applicationApplicants can check the status of their OCI application on the internet. To check your application status, visit the OCI status check website at http://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIenquiry.jspApproval of OCI applicationAfter OCI applications are approved, the next step involves sending in your Passport to the concerned Indian Consulate. A multiple entry, multi-purpose OCI 'U' visa sticker will be pasted on your foreign passport and a registration certificate in the form of a booklet is issued to you. OCI applications in IndiaAs per Indian Citizenship Rules, 1956 (25C) Persons of Indian origin can also apply for OCI in India. Applications in India for OCI can be made to:1. The Foreigner's Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Amritsar OR2. The Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO) in Chennai OR3. OCI Cell in Foreigners Division of Ministry of Home Affairs at: Under Secretary (Foreigners Division)Ministry of Home Affairs, Jaisalmer House. 26 Man Singh Road, New Delhi - 110 011OCI fee in IndiaFor applications that are filed in India, the current fee is Rs 15,000/- for each applicant. The fee is paid in the form of a demand draft, payable at New Delhi and made in favor of Accounts Officer (Secretariat), Ministry of Home Affairs New Delhi. In case of applicants who already hold a PIO Card, the fee is now waived as PIO scheme has been canceled and PIO card holders can apply for OCI free. They do however pay a small administrative fee. OCI fee RefundIn a case where the OCI application is rejected, the fee paid is returned after deducting US$25 or equivalent that is charged as processing fee. All fees mentioned here, are subject to change by the authorities at their discretion.

OCI REGISTRATION - LIFELONG VISA FOR INDIA

To apply for OCI now you MUST have Surrender Certificate

Everyone applying for OCI now must have proof of Renunciation of Indian citizenship such as a passport ‘Surrender Certificate’Detailed information on Renunciation and Passport Surrender is provided here

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Documents required with OCI

application

1. Proof of present citizenship2. Evidence of self or parents or grandparents,Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of Commencement of the Constitution or Belonging to a territory that became a part of India after 15th August, 1947; or Being a citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950.

Such evidence could be:

1.Copy of the passport: or2.Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the Competent Authority; or3.Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent, if their Indian Origin is claimed as basis for grant of OCI.**If parents'/grand parents' origin is being claimed as basis for grant of OCI, the following documents are required:1. Those who are claiming OCI card on the basis of parent's Indian origin, their birth certificate showing their parents name is required. 2. If you are claiming Indian origin based on your grandparents origin, then you have to submit your birth certificate as well as your parents' birth certificate showing the parents' names clearly so that it establishes the relation with your parents and grandparents.3. Copy of their Indian passport, or4. Copy of their domicile certificate issue by the competent authority; or any other documentary evidence like a notarized copy of school certificate, land ownership certificate by which eligibility can be logically established. Whether to accept the proof submitted would depend on the Consular Officer. Any other proof, that is acceptable to the authorities as proof of the applicant being of Indian origin.When it comes to accepting other types of proof, as supporting documents, the final decision to accept any type of documentary proof would rest with the consular officers. Some documents that might stand a chance of being accepted could be:1. Documentary evidence like a school certificate.2. Land ownership records in India.3. Birth certificate.4. Any other type of documentation whereby eligibility may be reasonably ascertained to the satisfaction of the Indian government official dealing with your application.

Surrender certificate required

Former Indian Nationals, who apply for OCI, are also required to provide a 'Surrender Certificate' to show they had renounced their Indian citizenship, when they acquired foreign citizenship. Information regarding obtaining a surrender certificate is provide separately in this book.

OCI photo guidelines

One of the reasons for delay of processing OCI applications is the rejection of the photographs, which are sent in by applicants, as they do not meet the acceptable format set by the authorities. Care should be taken that the photographs you are sending meet the required guidelines. Photo guidelines can be viewed by visiting http://passport.gov.in/oci/Photo-Spec-FINAL.pdfChecking status of OCI applicationApplicants can check the status of their OCI application on the internet. To check your application status, visit the OCI status check website at http://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIenquiry.jsp

Approval of OCI application

After OCI applications are approved, the next step involves sending in your Passport to the concerned Indian Consulate. A multiple entry, multi-purpose OCI 'U' visa sticker will be pasted on your foreign passport and a registration certificate in the form of a booklet is issued to you.

OCI applications in India

As per Indian Citizenship Rules, 1956 (25C) Persons of Indian origin can also apply for OCI in India. Applications in India for OCI can be made to:1.The Foreigner's Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Amritsar OR2.The Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO) in Chennai OR3.OCI Cell in Foreigners Division of Ministry of Home Affairs at: Under Secretary (Foreigners Division) Ministry of Home Affairs, Jaisalmer House. 26 Man Singh Road, New Delhi - 110 011

OCI fee in India

For applications that are filed in India, the current fee is Rs 15,000/- for each applicant. The fee is paid in the form of a demand draft, payable at New Delhi and made in favor of Accounts Officer (Secretariat), Ministry of Home Affairs New Delhi. In case of applicants who already hold a PIO Card, the fee is now waived as PIO scheme has been canceled and PIO card holders can apply for OCI free. They do however pay a small administrative fee.

OCI fee Refund

In a case where the OCI application is rejected, the fee paid is returned after deducting US$25 or equivalent that is charged as processing fee. All fees mentioned here, are subject to change by the authorities at their discretion.